Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 459 Stop at Donghe

The French were severely damaged in the Franco-Prussian War, but just two years later, they raised 50 billion francs in war reparations, allowing the German Empire's army to leave mainland France and restore the normal order of the past.

It wasn't long before colonial invasions began everywhere.

This is the foundation of France as a traditional industrial power. By the same token, Chu, as an emerging industrial power, is no less capable. Even if it is defeated in a war, it can quickly recover and fight again.

January 11st

Badnot, the French representative who is currently negotiating in Shanghai, is in an arrogant mood. He is putting extreme pressure on the northern court and using real military threats for diplomatic blackmail, which is very likely to achieve a breakthrough.

This made Barold very proud. He held a grand ball in his French-style manor in Shanghai and invited representatives from various powers and officials from the northern court to attend. This was also a way to show his strength.

At this moment

A member of the French negotiating delegation came in a panic, bringing bad news:

"Your Excellency, the Special Representative, I have just received a report from the Saigon Governor-General's Office. The war situation in Indochina has changed again. The Black Flag Army is marching south in large numbers."

"What...what about our garrison troops?"

Several French troops stationed in Ha Tinh and Quang Ninh provinces were caught off guard and besieged by a large number of Black Flag troops, suffering heavy casualties. It is said that the losses reached over 3300 men, and the frontline troops were completely routed.

"Oh, God, how could this happen?"

"The situation in Indochina has suddenly changed. The Saigon Governor-General's Office has gathered troops around Hue Province and established a solid defense line in an attempt to stop the Black Flag Army from advancing southward."

"Damn it, damn it!"

After hearing this, Barod felt a gloom in front of his eyes. He could only curse a few times to vent his emotions, but he was powerless to do anything about the sudden change in the new situation in the Indochina Peninsula.

France's extreme pressure and diplomatic blackmail on the northern court will inevitably fail.

Originally, the northern court did not agree with France's unreasonable demands, and the attitude of the negotiating representative, Zeng Guoquan, the governor of Liangjiang, was still quite tough, but he lacked confidence.

Now that the French army in Indochina has been defeated, they have lost both face and dignity.

In this situation, what's the point of playing?

The victory of the Black Flag Army greatly increased the prestige of the Northern Court. They were now the official army officially appointed by the court. How could they possibly agree to pay compensation when they were making rapid progress on the battlefield in Vietnam?

It was as if his men were punching the invading bandit, beating him until he was bruised and battered.

At this time, the bandit shouted loudly: "You just need to pay me 2 million francs, and I will no longer kick down your door, tear down your wall, or take away your cattle."

This situation is truly absurd and ridiculous, and there is no possibility of it being achieved.

The French manor is magnificent under the afternoon sun. Gentlemen and ladies are dressed in luxurious clothes and dance waltz to the accompaniment of the band. Everything is so peaceful and quiet.

Many court officials who were invited were wearing official robes. Of course, they could not go on stage to dance, as that would be too inappropriate.

If you are reported, you will definitely be in big trouble.

Fortunately, local officials have adapted to the social methods of the European powers. At such dance parties, they gather in groups of three or five, drinking champagne and chatting, and they are able to fit in.

At this time, the French representative Baraud was in a completely different mood. He was upset to see that a diplomatic achievement that was about to be achieved had disappeared without a trace.

If he hadn't maintained his outward elegance, Barold would have already started cursing.

Not long
The reporting clerk from the court came hurriedly and quickly whispered the news to his superiors. All the court officials were smiling and their backs straightened up.

When he looked at the European powers again, his eyes became more confident.

See this scene
Barod didn't know what had happened. It must be that the news of the war in Indochina had spread, which greatly bolstered the confidence of these court officials.

The plan of diplomatic blackmail has completely failed, and we have to think of other ways.

Dong Ha City, Quang Tri Province, Kingdom of Vietnam

After a brief fierce battle, more than 370 French troops stationed in Donghe City retreated in a panic after dozens of them were killed or wounded.

The Black Flag Army gathered 1.3 troops to launch a surprise attack. After breaking through the French positions on the front line of Rong City, they divided into two groups and marched south overnight to expand their victory. They won five battles in a row and sang triumphant songs all the way.

"Sanfa, stop chasing. You go crazy when fighting. You've forgotten the principle of not chasing a desperate enemy." Wu Tangxing came over covered in dust and shouted to Xiao Sanfa, stopping him from continuing to pursue the French army.

At this moment, Xiao Sanfa had a leopard head and round eyes, with thick bloodshot in his eyes and a murderous look. He stopped with a revolver in his hand and an unsatisfied look on his face.

He turned around and said, "Brother Wu, it's easy to deal with these bastards. How can we let you escape?"

"The foreign troops have over 2 soldiers. You're not a supernatural being, so how can you possibly kill them all? That's enough. We've captured Dong Ha, the capital of Quang Tri Province, which is only 62 kilometers south of Hue's royal city. Mission accomplished."

"Why, aren't you going further south?"

"You idiot, if you continue south, won't you just run into a den of foreigners? Marshal Fu has had a hard time raising these troops, we can't let them all go to waste."

"Then... the military advisor..."

"I know. Commander Wu has already spoken with the military advisor. We can't continue south. I heard the Kwai army has begun gathering in Hue's royal city, with a total strength of between seven and a thousand men, and reinforcements are constantly coming in from the rear. It's not easy to get to where we are today, and we can't let it go to waste here."

"Oh, okay then. Brothers, stop chasing and withdraw your troops." Xiao Sanfa shouted loudly, wiped the sweat from his head with his sleeve, and followed Wu Tangxing and the other two with their personal soldiers, walking towards the city.

Quang Tri Province is less than 100 kilometers away from Quang Binh Province, which is considered a large province in Vietnam. The smaller provinces in the southern area around Saigon are only 30 to 40 kilometers apart, and the closest one is only a dozen kilometers away.

The Black Flag Army occupied Dong Ha City, the capital of Quang Tri Province, further expanding its territory from the original 8 provinces to 10 provinces, and will also bear the main military pressure from France.

From the map

Vietnam's territory is a long and narrow strip from Hue Province to Quang Tri Province and then to Quang Ninh Province. The widest part is no more than 100 kilometers, and the narrowest part is only 50 to 60 kilometers.

Actually

The territory of the French Saigon Governor-General in Indochina was much deeper than this, encompassing Cambodia, Laos, and Cambodia in the west, leaving plenty of room for maneuver.

Therefore, when the French colonial army invaded Hanoi from the north, they usually marched in two groups simultaneously, one in Vietnam and the other in Laos.

But there's no doubt that Vietnam, with its easy access to roads and numerous towns, served as the primary target of the French colonial army's northern invasion, bearing over 80% of the military pressure. At the entrance to Dong Ha City Hall, a seven-star black flag hung. This marked the Black Flag Army's elite main force, led by General Wu Pangnien himself. Its troops were all courageous and daring.

When Wu Tangxing and Xiao Sanfa arrived, there were already several sturdy men in the room chatting and laughing. The table and the ground around it were filled with confiscated gold, silver, jewelry, silks, dozens of boxes of French wine and other rare items.

Standing next to the table is Wu Pengnian, a man of medium build. His left arm is still a little stiff because he was shot in the previous bloody battle and it has not yet healed completely.

Seeing the two people come in, Wu Pengnian laughed and said, "Lao Tang, Sanfa, after you two arrived, the main force of my Seven Star Black Flag will be gathered. See if there is anything you like here, and share some of the profits later. Brothers have worked hard."

"Brother Wu, just give me some of the rewards. Give me a few boxes of these foreign liquors so I can at least taste what they taste like."

"Okay, I'll arrange the military rewards. Each of you will carry six boxes of these foreign liquors back and have a good time."

"Thank you, Brother Wu, for the reward."

"Hey, we are brothers, so let's not say those foreign words." Wu Pengnian said cheerfully with a wave of his hand.

The Black Flag Army was a typical local warlord force composed of fellow villagers. The main generals in the army were all neighbors from the vicinity of Wuzhou, Guangxi. They were either childhood friends who grew up together naked, or acquaintances within a few miles, and they knew each other inside and out.

Such an army is inevitably xenophobic, but at the same time it has strong cohesion. The mountain people of Guangxi are even more fearless in fighting, causing the French army to suffer a lot.

Originally, the French army had the advantage in weapons, but after the Black Flag Army became powerful, it was equipped with a large number of advanced American Springfield M1861 rifles, and the qualitative gap between the two sides no longer existed.

It is still not as good as the French Chassaibo striker rifle, but it is equally deadly.

The Black Flag Army was willing to exchange two for one, but the French colonial army could not bear it.

In recent years, 7 to Guangxi compatriots have migrated to the Black Flag Army's territory, and more than % of them are men, so there is no shortage of manpower.

Didn’t you see that after the bloody battle, the Black Flag Army replenished its troops in just over ten days, trained according to the Chu Army’s drill manual, and quickly recovered its strength.

After a brief chat, Wu Penglian, the commander of the Seven-Star Black Flag Army, straightened his face and got to the point.

He said:
“Brothers, you all know that this southward campaign is the result of the efforts of the great forces behind the scenes, with the intention of containing the French army’s movements.

Now that we have occupied Donghe River, the spies ahead have reported that the French army is gathering in large numbers. After thinking it over again and again, I feel that we should not underestimate the enemy and advance rashly.

If we are surrounded by the ghosts and the main force of our Black Flag Army suffers heavy losses, it will be bad.

Therefore, after discussing with the military advisor, this general decided to set up a forward position in Donghe, build an earthen city wall, and wait here for the foreigners to attack.

"I'll wait for the enemy to tire themselves out. At worst, I'll just have to fight another blocking battle in Rong City. What can the foreigners do to me?"

"Brother Wu is absolutely right. You are the commander-in-chief of the army, and we brothers all obey you."

"Yes, Brother Wu, it's up to you to decide."

"The defensive battle at the earthen wall was good. After a few battles, the brothers have gained a lot of experience. This time, it will be interesting to discipline the foreigners."

Everyone echoed the sentiment, and the air was filled with the atmosphere of Jianghu and Shanzhai, which was also the characteristic of the Black Flag Army.

When they were together, they did not address each other by their court official titles, but called each other brothers, which seemed more intimate and casual.

This was originally a group of bandits that were surrounded and suppressed by the government. They could not stay in the country and were forced to flee to Shengbao (Note: Lao Cai) in northern Vietnam to settle down and take root in this barren and lawless area.

As the saying goes, a moving man lives, a moving tree dies.

After Shengbao jumped out and occupied Haiphong Province, the situation of the Black Flag Army was instantly improved. Coupled with the rich coal resources in Guangning Province in the north, wealth came rolling in.

When warlords have money, they gather troops, which is a common practice.

The Black Flag Army quickly expanded from more than 2000 people to more than 2.5 people, and expanded to more than people before the war, all because of sufficient financial resources, which is crucial.

With money, you can buy new rifles, recruit soldiers, vigorously develop the economy in the territory, promote waves of immigration from Guangxi compatriots, and lay an increasingly strong foundation.

The nature of warlord forces is to control one side, and the Black Flag Army is increasingly showing this characteristic.

This time, the Black Flag Army suddenly marched south, dispatching half of its elite main force, about 1.3 people. The core was the Seven-Star Black Flag Army, totaling more than people. This was the trump card in the hands of Liu Yongfu, the commander of the Black Flag Army, and it was a huge investment.

The remaining tens of thousands of troops will be left to guard their hometown.

The arrogant French colonial army never expected that the Black Flag Army would dare to take the initiative to attack. The French troops deployed on the front line were quite weak, and the largest military force was the more than 1700 French troops stationed on the front line of Rong City.

Under the frenzied attack of the Black Flag Army, which had a seven-fold advantage in troop strength, it was defeated in less than three hours, suffering countless casualties, and only a hundred or so people escaped.

As the Black Flag Army quickly marched south, the other French garrisons were wiped out one after another, leaving them with almost no ability to fight back.

In just a few days, they were driven to Dong Ha City, the capital of Quang Tri Province. As expected, the city also fell and became the territory of the Black Flag Army.

Wu Pengnian is Liu Yongfu's close brother who has followed him for more than 20 years. He has fought many battles at home and abroad, is extremely experienced, and has a keen sense of the battlefield.

After receiving the news from spies that heavy French troops were gathering in the royal city of Hue, they immediately stopped their advance.

In Vietnam
There are a large number of Chinese people from south to north, and the larger the town, the higher the proportion of Chinese. In the royal city of Hue, Chinese people account for more than 30% of the local population.

It was not difficult for the Black Flag Army to plant spies. The French army at that time did not have a strong sense of confidentiality, nor did they have so many military strategies. They simply relied on the advantage of weapons to rush forward.

The French army was dumbfounded when faced with the Black Flag Army, which was a tough nut to crack.

Sure enough, the French troops gathering in the royal city of Hue heard that the Black Flag Army, which was marching south, had stopped in Dong Ha City and was forcing the civilians to build earthen walls on a large scale, pretending to defend the city to the death.

The French commander-in-chief, Lieutenant General Courbet, was immediately overwhelmed. He had participated in the Anglo-French War against Chu more than ten years ago and witnessed the unprecedentedly brutal battle for the earthen city on the Johor Strait side of Singapore.

Those earthen walls became an indelible nightmare in Lieutenant General Courbet's mind.

Each earthen wall required repeated brutal and bloody battles, at the cost of heavy casualties, which gradually weakened the momentum of the attack until it was finally exhausted.

The Black Flag Army also learned this tactic and grasped its essence.

The combination of the fierceness of the Guangxi mountain people and the earthen wall tactics made the French commander-in-chief hesitate. He knew that this battle would be difficult to fight and he had to ask for instructions from Paris.

(End of this chapter)